The Oily Life

All Things Respiratory

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From sniffles and sneezes and stuffiness, respiratory needs are a big one for most people, and we all need some help in this area from time to time. Whether it's seasonal air quality issues, blooming flowers or more acute needs, we have everything you need to know about respiratory support right here!

faves These oils and products are our mainstays when it comes to all things respiratory. Grab a few and build your support cabinet! For the oils, you can diffuse them alone or in any combination (see below for blend ideas!), make them into a roller, or even use them as dietary supplements as desired.

Thieves Chest Rub This plant-based favorite is a much better option than conventional chest rubs. This natural chest rub soothes sniffles, coughs, and congestion for the whole family with a powerful blend of essential oils and natural, plant-based ingredients. Plus the super easy to use bottle doesn't even require you to get your hands messy!

R.C. essential oil blend R.C. stands for "respiratory congestion." This oil is a blend containing: Spruce, Cyprus, and three types of Eucalyptus oils (E. globulus, E. radiata, and E. citriodora). This oil opens up the chest and is wonderful to diffuse with lemon as well to work up anything that is building up in the body.

Raven essential oil blend A blend of ravintsara (camphor), Lemon, Wintergreen, Peppermint and Eucalyptus Radiata that is incredible as a chest rub. Raven contains the active ingredient found in OTC chest rubs, but it is in pure essential oil form so you don't have to worry about petroleum or other toxins!

SniffleEase essential oil blend This gentle, soothing blend of Eucalyptus, Palo Santo, R.C. is prediluted and perfect for little ones age two and older. As the name suggests, this blend is perfect for soothing sniffles and respiratory needs!

Another great option for little ones is Peace & Calming! It is soothing and peaceful and helps break up congestion in the chest.

Breathe Again essential oil blend and roll-on This blend contains four different types of eucalyptus which are known for their ability to help relax airways and support the respiratory system. The roll-on is pre-diluted for easy use!

Lemon essential oil Lemon is a wonderful natural mucolytic, making it a great choice for respiratory support! Cleansing and purifying, this citrus oil also supports the immune system, so you get added benefits when using it for respiratory needs.

diffuser To make these into rollers, triple the recipe (or more, up to 60 drops) for a 10mL roller bottle, add carrier and voila! Roll onto the wrists, neck, chest, back as desired.

  • After School: 4 drops each Thieves, R.C., Lemon
  • Happy Noses: 4 drops each Lemon, Purification, Lavender
  • Breathe Easy: 5 drops Raven, 4 drops Lavender, 3 drops Dorado Azul
  • Sniffle Ease: 4 drops Raven or R.C., 3 drops Frankincense, 3 drops Idaho Blue Spruce, 2 drops Lemon
  • Immune Boost: 4 drops Oregano, 3 drops each Lemon, Frankincense, 2 drops Lavender

survivingblooms When the flowers start blooming, the pollen starts flying, and many of us start sniffling! If you want to enjoy the beauty of spring without hiding indoors until the worst is behind you, we have you covered.

  • Lavender, Lemon & Peppermint (LLP): this trio is THE springtime blend! Diffuse it, roll it on your chest, neck and even just inside the nostrils to help combat the pollen. Keep it on and around you 24/7! If you need a little more, add Copaiba or Tea Tree to the mix.
  • Lavender Vitality: a Lavender swipe on the inside of the cheek or a drop under your tongue a few times a day is another great springtime habit. Lavender is nature's antihistamine!
  • AllerZyme capsules: this enzyme complex is ideal for individuals with dietary sensitivities, so it can also help with seasonal needs!
  • Use the DIY Nasal Salts, Sinus Support Steam, Changing Seasons Oral Spray and capsules listed below! Also the Immune Boost Bath is amazing.

diys Immune Boost Bath This is the recipe we swear by for acute immune needs! If you don't have all these oils, use what you have on hand.

  • 15 drops Ravintsara
  • 6 drops Frankincense
  • 6 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
  • 3 drops Dorado Azul
  • 2 drops Eucalyptus Radiata
  • 1 drop Wintergreen Add oils to epsom salt and mix well, then run hot water into the jar of salts/oils and overflow into the tub to mix!

Immune Boost Bath for Kids A more dilute version for the little ones! You can use your judgment here for how much/what you want to include.

  • 5 drops Frankincense
  • 2 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
  • 1 drop Dorado Azul
  • 1-2 drops Oregano Add oils to epsom salt and mix well, then run hot water into the jar of salts/oils and overflow into the tub to mix!

DIY Chest Rub

  • 3 tablespoons organic coconut oil
  • 10 drops R.C.
  • 8 drops Frankincense
  • 5 drops Lemon
  • 5 drops Peppermint Add ingredients into a glass container and store in a cool, dark place. For a little extra chill you can place it in the refrigerator.

Sinus Support Steam Pot When you're needing some relief from the pressure that spring can cause your sinuses, give this tried and true trick a go!

  • Bowl of very hot, steaming water
  • 2-3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • 2-4 drops Dorado Azul Essential Oil Add essential oils to the water (start with the lower end and add more as desired). Place a towel over your head and sit with your head above the steam bath to open the airways

DIY Nasal Salts

  • 10 drops Lavender essential oil
  • 15 drops Copaiba essential oil
  • 8 Tbsp of ultra fine salt (unprocessed, no iodine)
  • Ceramic Neti pot Mix well and store in a sealed glass jar. To use, dissolve 1 tsp of salt mixture into 1&1/2 cups of distilled water (or water from a Berkey filter or boil and cool some water), then add to your Neti pot and use as needed.

Changing Seasons Oral Spray

  • 10mL glass spray bottle
  • 1 drop each Lavender Vitality, Copaiba Vitality, Peppermint Vitality
  • 2 drops Orange Vitality, Lemon Vitality
  • Splash Thieves Mouthwash, optional
  • Filtered water Add all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz into your mouth daily or as desired!

DIY Season's Change Capsules

  • 2oz glass dropper bottle
  • 30 drops each Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Copaiba Vitality
  • Olive oil to desired dilution (about 2 Tbsp) When you're ready to make a capsule, fill an empty vegetable capsule with a dropperful of the blend and take as desired.